ITINERARY

• The House of Virgin Mary is one of the pilgrimage center of Christians where Virgin Mary passed her recently time and died. Pope Paul VI visited the shrine in 1967, and ‘unofficially’ confirmed its authenticity. Pope John Paul II and Pope Benedict XVI has visited this shrine
• Ephesus, famous in antiquity for its Temple of Artemis during the years of the Roman Empire, the Greek port of Ephesus became the greatest city in Asia Minor. You will start your Ephesus excursion at the upper Magnesia Gate, and work your way down through the city, ending near the ancient Harbor. Along the way you will see the Forum, the Odeon, the Library of Celsus, the Thermal Baths of Scolastika and the Great Theater, built in the Greek era and reconstructed in the Roman period. It has played host to programs as varied as Paul and his sermons to the Ephesians, to concerts by Sting, in part due to its remarkable acoustics. You will walk along the Arcadian Way, where once Mark Antony and Cleopatra rode in procession. You will hear stories of Alexander the Great, the Virgin Mary, and many other famous visitors who walked the same marble streets that you are walking
• Terrace Houses were the houses of rich & upper class people in Ephesus City have been lived, famed with gorgeous mosaics, frescoes and wall paintings. One of the best preserved site in the Ephesus in which archeological works still continue.
• Traditional Turkish Lunch in a local restaurant. (Optional-Upon to Your Request)
• Shopping in Ephesus (Optional -can be personalized.) Ephesus (Selcuk) is a shopper’s paradise. One of the best places in Turkey if you are interested in cultural shopping. Here is countryside and famed with factories of handicrafts which are supported by Turkish Government and work as schools too. That's why, prices are more reasonable, there are more selections in the factories. If you are not interested in shopping, but only to see how the handcrafts are made, please do not worry. There is no obligation to buy something from factories, but you will have big chance to see how they are made. This is the only way to learn how the local crafts are made by the local people and to see part of this cultural art. What kind of factories? Rug, Ceramic and Leather Jacket / Bags. No obligation / pressure to buy something, jus try to enjoy that lovely experience of Turkish Culture and bargaining.. Jewellery and Silver Textiles Ceramics and Handcrafts Genuine Fake Watches Leather Carpet
• You can see Saint John Basilica from a distance when we are in the Temple of Artemis. It is believed that the Evangelist St. John had spent his last years in the in & around Ephesus and buried in the southern slope of Ayosolug Hill. The tomb of St John was under the central dome of the Basilica.
• Temple of Artemis which is one of the seven wonders of Ancient time. Artemis was the Greek goddess, the virginal huntress and twin of Apollo, who replaced the Titan Selene as Goddess of the Moon. The ancient temple was built around 650 BC to the cult of Artemis, was constructed on a site already sacred to the Anatolian Mother Goddess, Cybele. The temple was financed by the wealthy king of Lydia and the marshy ground was selected for the building site as a precaution against future earthquakes. During the time, it has been destroyed and collapsed many times due to the natural disasters.
• Last stop Gazibegendi Park to have the best view of Kusadasi Port and center.
• The end of our tour